Chevrolet Volt Powertrain Performance Pros and Cons

Unlike other plug-in hybrids, the Chevrolet Volt performs very well on electricity alone. The electric motor reacts more immediately than any gasoline engine, feels tire-spinning strong at low speeds, and accelerates the car to highway speeds with at most a faint whine and no sign of strain. The driving experience...

To offset the Cadillac's higher curb weight and support its more upscale position, GM squeezed 32 more horsepower out of the Volt's electric drive motor for the ELR--when the gas engine is running. (When running solely off of battery power, peak output is 157 horsepower in the ELR vs. 149...

I'm considering the "Powertrain performance" categoray as an overall statement about the car and driving it regularly: Of the 100+ cars I've owned over the past 35 years, there are none which are this smooth, quiet and perform as consistently as the Volt. I drive this as a...